Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-09-22
HARVESTING CORN.
The Advantages and Disadvantages o
Thrashing Corn without Husklng.

Tho Advantages and Dlsad vantagss oi
ThrashinE Corn without Husklng.
The new way Of extracting the corn
from the stalks with the ordinary
thrashing machine. has attracted so
much attention and brought so many
inquiries from those anxious to know
more about the process, that, after
fuller experiment and knowledge, ]
will say more about how to do it and
its advantages and disadvantages.
The machine used may be any separa-
tor-machine, such as is used for grain
thrashing, or an old superannuated
machine will do, providing it is strong
and in good working order. To pre-
pare it for corn thrashing the sections
containing all the teeth, except two
rows, should be removed and some
hardwood plank substituted in their
place. The sections containing the
remaining teeth should be lowered
more or less according to the corn to
be thrashed. The corn should be well
cured and the stalks must be dry in
order 10 keep well when put into NOW
or stack. 1t is fed TO the machine
"butts' foremost, and rs fast rs the
mill will properly clean the thrashed
corn or the elevator will carry away
the stalks. The better way l. to thrash
as fast rs it comes from the field, al
though IL quite dry or machine can
not be obtained at the time, il may be
drawn and piled upon the NOV and
thrashed from there. In order TO be
easily handled it should either have
been bound in smallest bundles when
beng cut, or else have tho "stoots"
divided into them and lie well bound
before loaded upon the wagon for the
barn.
The advantages Of this method of
harvesting corn are rapidity in getting
the corn under cover when in proper
condition, thus enabling the farmer
in one or two days Of good weather to
house quite large crop. also in scpa-
rating the corn from the stalks. From
four hundred to six hundred
bushels Of shclled corn, or even
more. may be easily thrashcd in
ten hours with good machine, and be
cleaned free from leaf, silk or cobs.
The stalks are put In better condition
for keeping. The big "butts" are so
much torn and broken up and 50 thor
oughly mixed with the dricr leaves
and smaller portions Of the stalks that
when put into NOV or stack there Is
little danger Of mold. and II when be-
ing even through the machine little
dry straw be thrown upon the elevator
with them, or II !; be mixed with them
when being put into the NOW or stack,
there will be no danger Of injury, even
when the stalks are quite green. The
stalks are taken from the fields with
the corn, thus clearing the ground
ready for fall plowing, many days or
weeks even in advance Of what can be
done in tho JlG way Of hand-husking,
enabling the farmer TO have this inn
portant work done before the disagree
able weather, almost sure to come later
In the fall.
The disadvantages can all be covered
under one mead so far rs l have been
able 20 lind thcm-the shclled corn Is.
Of course. not as dry or thoroughly
cured as would bo needed for storing
IN bins or IN a very close barn. but this
can be- easily overcome when one has
plenty Of barn-floor by spreading the
corn not more than one foot deep over
the floor and having il shovcled over once
day for few days, ut the same time
keeping the barn doors open aud allow
ing n very free circulation Of air, or II
ono happens 10 have y lot Of old corn
tho two may be mixed together 10 the
improvement Of both, rs the old corn
will absorb some Of the moisture and
thus become less hard and more easily
niasficaicd II 10 be fed whole, rs II Il
usually 10 sheep. -, $. Wcodoard. IN
Rural NeD Yorker.